ABOUT

WELCOME TO VEGAN CHOW DOWN!

Vegan Chow Down is a place where you can find deliciously compassionate recipes for everyone and anyone who loves to eat. I believe delicious, interesting, and fulfilling vegan food can and should be enjoyed by everyone!

All the recipes shown here are plant-based and do not use any items that are derived from an animal. This means no meat, fish, seafood, dairy products, eggs, gelatin, or honey. Instead, the recipes feature colorful veggies and fruits, filling grains, protein packed legumes, and so much more to create satisfying meals, snacks, drinks, and desserts to fuel your body, mind, and heart.

The recipes here are ones I have tried and loved and I hope you will love them as well. I am not a nutritionist, dietitian, or doctor– just an animal lover who enjoys eating (a little too much maybe…if such a thing even exists!) and wants to share a way of cooking that reflects that.

I am a HUGE animal lover and have been living and eating plant-based for the past 15 years of my life.

My mom tells me that when I was in pre-kindergarten I looked at the fish on our dining table and asked her if it hurt the fish to eat it. It surprised her and she didn’t really know how to answer me! I actually don’t remember that particular meal but I do remember walking through China Town and having to close my eyes when we walked by the restaurants with hanging ducks and pigs in the windows. I think it was always in me to live and eat in a way that doesn’t harm these animals who I have always thought were adorable and loved just as much as a dog or a cat.

I became vegetarian my sophomore year of high school in 2000 and became vegan in 2009 after reading The Face On Your Plate: The Truth About Food (I was totally one of those people who said all the time, “I could never give up cheese!” but reading this book completely opened my eyes to the dairy industry and I couldn’t eat cheese anymore after that and guess what? I don’t even miss it– honest!).

When I became vegan, I realized how much better I felt emotionally when eating– I didn’t feel guilty anymore and I was happy to try to do a small part to end the needless suffering humans subject farm animals to.

People ask me quite often when they learn that I am vegan: why? I’ve answered in many different ways and each time I think to myself, “What IS the best way to answer this question?” After much reflection of what I have learned and how I feel, I think the reason for me is simply that there is no compassionate way to kill a living being who wants to continue living. I believe every creature on this earth has the right to be here and deserves to live a happy and fulfilling life.

I started this blog because I love to cook, bake, take photos, and most importantly I LOVE TO EAT! I wanted to share that it is possible to be vegan, eat delicious foods, and that this way of life does not limit you–instead it really shows you a whole new world of possibilities.

When I am not cooking or baking, you can usually find me carving stamps, practicing my hand lettering, and creating cards and prints for my creative business, Atiliay, a line of paper goods that give back. I live in Southern California with my 2 rescue pups (Valentine the Pomeranian and Bernard the Maltese) and 3 forever foster kitties (Makani, Jefrey, and Samone)–they make an appearance every once in awhile on my Instagram :).

For food lovers, animal lovers, vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike, I hope that this blog can be a place where you discover new and yummy things!

Thank you so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy!
Olivia

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3 Responses to ABOUT

Hi there I was looking at your vegan chili recipe and saw the sour cream on it and as an option.. Is that vegan??? You don’t mention that it is but if it is Id love the reciepe for some vegan sour cream!!
Cheers
Rebecca

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Hi, I’m Olivia, an ethical vegan who loves food! This is where I share deliciously compassionate recipes I have tried and loved throughout my 15 years of eating and living plant-based. I believe vegan food is for everyone to enjoy and that it should be interesting, flavorful, and satisfying! Read more here.

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All work featured on Vegan Chow Down is copyright Olivia Lin and created by me unless otherwise noted.
Feel free to use any of the photos or excerpts from this blog but please give proper credit and link back accordingly. It'd also be great if you'd email me and let me know what you've shared, I'd love to meet you, say thanks, and check out your space!